The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-11
ATEASEABOUT THEIRORIGIN
The Colored Knights Templars Worry
No More About Their Organization.
They Refuse to Hear an Address Regarding
Its Legal Phases-Yesterday' Drill
by the Louisville Ccmmandery.

The colored Knights Templars in their annual
conclave did but little business of public i'm
portance yesterday morning. Reports from
committees occupied their attention principally,
and these relative to the secret affairs of the
jurisdiction. The committee on Jurisprudence
submitted several matters relative to the laws
OF the order. The committee commentaries
reported that while during the year or
ders had been instituted the member
ship In the existing organization had
been considerably increased. From the
committee grievances the report was
very brief matters had been brought 30
to notice which were not readily adjusted. AS
to finances, the Jurisdiction of Ohio has a corr
Portable sum to draw on. and the expenses dur
ing the year $3.50 less than the receipts.
In membership the jurisdiction covers twenty
one communicates, with 600 Knights.
It was found that the Knights take but little
interest in the question that is vexing
the two organizations of colored Scottish
Rites. An effort the part of few
was made to have the matter discussed.
bat the gentleman who was to have delivered
the address on the origin and legality of Scottish
Rite Masonry, applied to coorsd men, did
not appear. A Chicago Knight said last
evening. II member of the Scottish Rite
which has it's charter from what is said to be the
French Orient. II is supposed to be the regular
line but l do not bother about It,"
What is the real question of disturbance" he
was asked.
"A man named Van de Bulah came TO New
York and established among the colored people
Scottish Rite Masonry. He claimed to have full
authority, but it was asserted by the other fac
ton. to which belong. that he had been sus-
pended from the order"
you get your charter from France7"
Nobody knows. While we claim to be reg
ular, every effort to support pretentions by
absolute proof fails; hence, have ceased to
bother about the question. Mr.. Jones came
down here from Chicago to lecture the ques-
ton, but nobody wanted to hear him."
THE whole trouble" said knight from
Xenia, o., '.arose between the Washington City
organization and that of Chicago. Mr.. Jones
represents the latter and is persistent in bring
ing his views before the public. The difficulty
appears periodically. Two years ago our
papers were full of it, and few months since
public discussion was had as to which was the
legal body Other colored Masons have become
rather tired of it and propose to let the Wash
ington City and Chicago Scottish Rite Mason's
fight their own battle. For this reason Mr..
Jones could not get an audience here. 1t is
none of our business"
During the afternoon the KNIGHTS. had
procession that moved Washington
land and then to Illinois. North Merd-
ian. Seventh, Alabama and the Exposition
grounds. where it was expected that three COM
manderies of the Knights Templars would drill
There was a large attendance, the amphitheater
being we'll filed and many persons upon the
grounds. the only commandery to drill was
Mount Calvary Commandery, of Louisville W.
Fl. Clark, commander. AS the twenty four
Sir Knights upon the parade ground
they were received with cheers and
clapping of hands. They presented very SOL
dierly appearance. and as they progressed in
their evolutions they showed themselves to bs
wel-dsciplined and skillful Knights. In foot
movements they were excellent while in the
sword movement they did creditaby though
making number of blunders that detracted
from their score. The judges
Col. n. r. Ruckle, Joseph w. Smith and Harry
B. Smith, and the comm andery, by their mark
ings, were given eighty out of possible
hundred points. "A very creditable drill" said
Colonel Ruckle to Commander Clark, he
marched his off the field.
The entertainments at the EXPOSITION building
continued throughout the evening, when
hihition drill given. At the hall No. 261
North Delaware street. the Indianapolis Com
mandery conferred degrees on three postulants.
To day officers of the jurisdiction will be
elected. and at night the banquet at Tomlnson
Hall will close the proceedings of the conclave